Riza Takahaski Announced as Host of Broadstream's New Digital Series AUTHENTICALLY YOU

Broadstream announced today that Authentically You, a new digital series hosted by Riza Takahaski (Mean Girls), is now available for streaming exclusively on the new, free-for-user streaming platform (https://broad.stream).

To kick off AAPI Heritage month, Broadstream is introducing Authentically You, a brand-new interview series from Broadway's Riza Takahashi. With her signature blend of thoughtfulness and joy, Riza guides her guests through candid conversations about the ways in which their identity impacts their art.

Upcoming guests include Saki Masuda (The King and I), Kelli Youngman (Anastasia), Jolina Javier (A Chorus Line), Kenway Kua (Wicked), and Darren Lee (History of War).

Authentically You is available now, for free, on Broadstream. Click here to watch the first episode featuring special guest Kelli Youngman (https://broad.stream/play/6305112467001). 

ABOUT BROADSTREAM:

Broadstream is a new free-for-the-user, arts and arts adjacent streaming platform featuring professional content created by and starring diverse voices. The new streaming platform launched this winter with over 75 original content pieces, and spans genres including theater, comedy, music, spoken word, politics, fandom and more. Broadstream proudly empowers and features artists who have too often been historically marginalized, dedicating their platform to amplifying their voices and highlighting art that meets the moment in pursuit of artistic justice. The platform is free to the user with no financial barrier to entry.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.broad.stream

 

BIOS:

Riza Takahashi (Host) is the founder of the "Celebrate Asian Joy" project and a Broadway actor who was last seen in Mean Girls on Broadway as one of the original Broadway cast members. She was born and raised in Japan and, at the age of 16, she left Japan by herself to pursue her dream of being on Broadway. Through her unique experiences as an immigrant on Broadway, she has learned how important it is to have representation both onstage and off for the next generation of BIPOC artists. She has now made it her mission to encourage the industry to change from within by being a multi-hyphenate Actor-Producer.

Jolina Javier (Guest) is originally from San Jose, California where she studied with the San Francisco Ballet. She furthered her training at SUNY Purchase College where she graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance and was the recipient of the Ballet Achievement Award. Broadway and New York Theatre credits include: The Phantom of the Opera (The Majestic Theatre), Connie Wong in A Chorus Line (New York City Center), Nixon in China, televised by PBS (The Metropolitan Opera), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall), Peggy Hickey's Cinderella and the Prince Who Slayed the Dragon (Avery Fisher Hall). Regional credits: Marie Dancing Still (The Kennedy Center, The 5th Avenue Theatre), The King and I (Lyric Opera Chicago), A Chorus Line (Theatre Under the Stars & The MUNY), Cabaret (Cincinnati Playhouse), Aida (Kansas City Starlight Theatre), Carousel (The Virginia Opera). Film/TV Credits: Opening Film (Ballerina) with Beyonce: "Mrs. Carter Tour," "Infinite and Finite Games" (Dance Film), Peter Joback's "The Mask" (Music Video), "The Kelly Clarkson Show" (Opening Dance). Commercials: "Kate Spade 2021 Fall Campaign," "Bush's Baked Beans," "Boll & Branch," "BJ's Brewhouse Restaurant," "BioTru," and "Kayak."

Kelli Youngman (Guest) was born in South Korea, adopted, and raised in North Brunswick, NJ, and currently lives in Central Harlem, NYC. She is a Broadway performer and The Life Coach for Performers. Her performing credits include: The King & I (Broadway, First National Tour), Anastasia (Broadway),a??Newsies (Arena Stage), The Flamingo Kid (World Premiere, Hartford Stage), and more! As a coach, she works with actors, singers, and dancers to love yourself and your life WAY more. It's all about creating possibilities from worthiness! When she isn't performing or coaching, she's eating delicious food with her partner Steve (who's a chef!) or watching ALL the videos of corgis.

Darren Lee (Guest): A native of Southern CA, Darren Lee began his career in the Entertainment Industry at age 11 as a contestant on Jr. Star Search. Shortly thereafter he became a series regular on "Kids Incorporated," a Disney Channel favorite. In the years following he appeared in a variety of national commercials, television shows, and feature films such as "Hackers," playing a role (Razor) opposite Angelina Jolie, and "Sisters" with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. He also danced alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger in the Academy Award-winning film "Chicago." By the early '90s, Lee relocated to New York, advancing his career into the new millennium with Broadway roles in Chicago, Guys and Dolls, and in the original companies of Allegiance, Shogun the Musical, Miss Saigon, Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews, Kiss Me Kate, On the Town, Seussical the Musical, Pacific Overtures, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Most recently Mr. Lee performed the King of Siam in the National Tour of The King and I.

After 18 years as a Broadway performer, Lee has refocused his energies on directing and choreography. His Broadway work includes associate choreographer on Pacific Overtures, other New York productions include: 24 Hour Musicals (Orchard Project), History of War (NYMF), Heading East starring B.D. Wong (Asia Society), Hidden Sky (Prospect Theatre) and Stephen Sondheim's 75th Birthday Celebration (New Amsterdam). His regional credits include:a??Victor/Victoraa??(Ogunquit),a??The Music Mana??(Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Once on This Island, South Pacific (Olney Theatre Center), Miss Saigon (St. Louis MUNY, Paper Mill Playhouse, Music Theatre of Wichita); Herringbone starring B.D. Wong (La Jolla Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, Williamstown Shakespeare Festival); Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Fantasticks, Little Shop of Horrors, and Godspell (MUNY) and many more.

KENWAY KUA (Guest) is from Kaneohe, Hawaii and lives in NYC. He is a trained dancer, singer, actor, sometimes model, and sometimes musician that has performed on Broadway in Wicked and The Frogs. He has traveled extensively on tour with Aladdin, Mary Poppins and Flower Drum Song. Also regional productions of The King and I, 9 to 5, How to Succeed...,Waterfall, Cinderella, Pacific Overtures and Miss Saigon. As an Asian American, Kenway embraces his Native Hawaiian, Chinese, and Portuguese heritage and cultures. He is honored, grateful, and humbled to be part of such a tight knit community of Asian artists.

Saki Masuda (Guest) was born and raised in Nara, Japan. Her favorite credits include: The King and I (Lincoln Center and First National Tour), Cats, The Bodyguard, ELF, Sayonara,Scheherazadea and "Madam Secretary" (CBS). Saki has danced with several dance companies and choreographers in NYC, such as Heidi Latsky Dance, General Mischief Dance Theatre, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Catskill Ballet Theatre, Ballet Hispanico 2, Xodus Dance Collective, Felicity Stiverson, Sara Brian, James Gray, among others. Saki also enjoys working with Debbie Roshe as assistant teacher/choreographer. Proud to be AAPI actor.

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